Once the owners of this property formalised and agreed plans with their architect they collectively began sourcing the perfect suppliers to bring the property to life. The homeowners looked to minimise the number of contractors so ideally wanted to source all the glazing from one company. Their Nottingham base meant a 70-minute drive up the M1 to visit our flagship Leeds showroom where they discovered the perfect destination to explore the many benefits that large format glazing could bring to their home.
Our team talked through the plans and demonstrated all the various products within our range and ultimately, it was decided that Express would provide all the bespoke glazing required for this new build home.
Our expertise was utilised throughout each stage of this builds progress. We liaised with the homeowners, architects and construction teams on site to ensure that each of our bespoke products was installed on time and in full, ensuring the build became watertight and remained on schedule. The products that we manufactured and installed were always intended to be a key feature throughout, with our glazing crucial to the look of both the front and rear elevation and the source of natural light throughout the interior.
Large format glazing sits across two floors courtesy of a double height curtain-wall screen housing a premium entrance door complete with back painted glass panels to conceal the upstairs floor joists. This glazed screen is mirrored on the rear elevation by a fixed picture window which allows a clear look through from the front to rear elevation while creating a lightwell across both floors.
The entrance door is our premium Caverro front door, bold and distinctive on the outside, while on the inside it boasts concealed hinges and a baseless handle for a sleek contemporary look. The entrance to this home is a real architectural feature that not only looks great but ensures both the entryway and landing benefit from maximum natural light.
The second dominant feature on the front elevation is the unique shaped windows which have been beautifully integrated into the structure of the building. The smaller shaped window incorporates a tilt and turn window for ventilation, while the larger sits above a sliding door with a vertical transom lining through perfectly with the 20mm door profile below. The window and door are separated by a structural steel that has been concealed with an aluminium pressing to create the appearance of one window.
Internally the same steel has been concealed by a plaster and painted finish, the result is a fantastic master bedroom with vaulted ceilings and panoramic shaped windows that make the space feel both big and bright. The benefit of the sliding doors is that they provide access out onto a flat roof balcony, allowing the bedroom to literally extend out and over the three-car garage.
Where floor to ceiling glazing is prevalent throughout a whole property, we often find that sliding doors are becoming more popular than bi-fold doors. This home contains two upper floor sliding doors and four sets installed across the ground floor rear so our popular XP Glide sliding door system was chosen thanks to its 20mm sightline, following the theme of minimal profiles throughout the whole property.
Some of the smaller openings would have suited bi-fold doors but utilising the XP Glide ensured consistent floor levels throughout which has worked perfectly across the ground floor rear as the open plan interiors benefit from the sliding doors all set at the same level, allowing for a continuous flow throughout and a seamless transition from inside to out.
A large orangery style sunroom sits across the rear elevation, and the homeowners and architect wanted a minimalist finish rather than a traditional skylight. Instead, we installed our XP Sky View flat rooflight which appears completely frameless from the inside. The skylight itself is oversized, so we reinforced it with a structural glass fin and structurally bonded the skylight once it was installed. The result is essentially a large overhead frameless piece of glass, which looks fantastic and pours even more light into sunroom.
The various sizes, colours and specifications of the products used throughout this project are detailed below.
The finished home, a contemporary newbuild that looks both charming and distinctive. Commissioning a good architect has definitely been money well spent, with all the windows built to the same size and the upper floor sliding doors lining through with ground floor doors below.
The unique balcony areas on both the front and rear elevation are notable examples of brilliant design, as is the clear view through the entrance atrium, along with the shaped windows which dominate the front elevation rather than the rear. What is clear from this project is how important incorporating glazing into the home is, and the impact it has, not only on the fabric of the building, but the feeling once inside and of course the security. The real value of this home isn’t just its excellent design; it is the quality of the materials that have literally made the property, and our products have been key in this regard.
From the premium entrance doors to the curtain-walling and slim sightline sliding doors we have provided all the glazing throughout the property. The glazing is a standout feature when looking at the house from the street and from within the garden, but the true benefits are felt once inside as the floor to ceiling glass makes the interior feel expansive.
The house feels connected, with open plan spaces and well-lit rooms benefitting from outward views framed by our aluminium doors and windows. A beautiful new home with our bespoke products throughout, all viewed in the same showroom, manufactured in the same facility and expertly surveyed and installed by our team with the minimum of fuss and within an efficient timescale. Express are the perfect supplier for an extensive new build home and the peace of mind of comprehensive aftercare alongside the years of enjoyment that will be experienced over time within every room in the house.
Whether you’re planning to build a new home like this or simply looking to replace your existing doors and windows a visit to one of our showrooms will provide all the ideas and inspiration you need to start the process towards creating the perfect space within your home.
Explore more of our completed work
Since 2007 we’ve contributed to some of the most wonderful homes in the UK. Take a look through our online case studies to see various examples of how our products have been installed to create some truly stunning spaces. We have also handpicked some projects below to hopefully give you some ideas and home inspiration.